COLOMBO, November 10, 2012 | The Hindu
AP Soldiers arrive on motorbikes
outside a prison in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, Nov 9, 2012. At least 10 inmates
in a Sri Lankan prison were killed in a shootout with security forces and 12
others were wounded on Friday.
The 33 Indian convicts and the five remand
prisoners in Welikada prison were safe, the Indian High Commission said on
Saturday morning. Clashes between security personnel and prisoners inside
claimed over 15 lives since last evening.
“The High Commission has been constantly
monitoring the situation since the time the clashes broke out. The Sri Lankan
authorities have told us that the Indian prisoners are safe,” High Commissioner
of India to Sri Lanka Ashok K Kantha, told The Hindu.
The Indian High Commission has sought consular
access to the prisoners, but this demand has not been acceded to. “We are in
touch [with the Sri Lankan officials.] We want to individually ascertain that
the prisoners are safe. Hence we have sought access to the prisoners,”
Mr.Kantha said.
The High Commission has also deputed a senior
diplomat to meet prison officials and ascertain the situation in Welikada. “Our
main concern is the welfare of Indian prisoners,” he added.
The prisoners have been without food or water
since last afternoon. The Army had managed to take control of the prison in the
early hours of Saturday. One source said that the combing operations inside the
prison was being conducted in an elaborate manner, and it is only after this is
completed will anyone else, including the Indian High Commission and relatives,
be granted access to the prisoners.
Many anxious relatives have been crowding in
areas close to the prison to get information of their kith and kin. But prison
officials have reportedly told them that they will be able to comment on
individual cases only later. Some relatives were also at the National Hospital,
trying to figure out if their near and dear are among the injured.